Fast And Furious Gun Used In Killing Of Mexican Police Chief

During a Republican presidential administration, this would be big news. Heck, it would have been big news from the get-go, with angry opinion pieces and editorials demanding massive Congressional inquiries. At least two American federal agents were killed by the 2,400 guns that were “walked.” At least 200 Mexican civilians, including children, have been killed by the guns. And more have been wounded. And here’s another (via Yid With Lid)

(LA Times) A high-powered rifle lost in the ATF’s Fast and Furious controversy was used to kill a Mexican police chief in the state of Jalisco earlier this year, according to internal Department of Justice records, suggesting that weapons from the failed gun-tracking operation have now made it into the hands of violent drug cartels deep inside Mexico.

Luis Lucio Rosales Astorga, the police chief in the city of Hostotipaquillo, was shot to death Jan. 29 when gunmen intercepted his patrol car and opened fire. Also killed was one of his bodyguards. His wife and a second bodyguard were wounded. (snip)

The WASR used in Jalisco was purchased on Feb. 22, 2010, about three months into the Fast and Furious operation, by 26-year-old Jacob A. Montelongo of Phoenix. He later pleaded guilty to conspiracy, making false statements and smuggling goods from the United States and was sentenced to 41 months in prison. (snip)

After the shooting in Jalisco, local officials said some of the suspects confessed to two other shootouts in the area, including one that left seven people dead, all part of the continuing feud by rival cartel members.

And how many bystanders were killed or wounded during the shootouts?

I will note that the LA Times says throughout the article, and the headline, that the weapons were “lost”. Well, yeah, if you consider intentionally refusing to track the weapons till they show up at a crime scene as “lost”. One person in the comments notes that this is Obama’s gift to the Mexican People that just keeps on giving.